2006 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvee Elizabeth

06 Kistler Cuvee Elizabeth This was the second bottle we brought to Berserkerfest 2.5 at Peking Duck House Manhattan, and the second bottle that I knew was too young to be opened, with no time to decant.  This is total infanticide open one of these right now, and if I only had one, there is no way I would have popped the cork on this.  But that said, I look forward to seeing how this develops in the next 10-15 years. 

Again, the cork was popped for about an hour and a 1/2 with no decant before first taste.  Gorgeous dark ruby color in the glass, with a nose of stewed cherries, and dark black berries.  Faint hints of earth and spice here, but that was about it. 

On the palate, this was about as tight as tight can be, and shows that this needs a significant amount of time before it really shows to our liking.  More cherries and faint hints of cola on the palate, with slight strawberry and blackberry nuances.  Subtle hints of spice, with just a hair of prune on the palate, with a finish that is very tight, and a bit on the hot side showing some alcohol.  89 points on day 1. 

About a third of the bottle was re-corked, and put into the fridge overnight, and like the '06 Sea Smoke Southing, it was a completely different wine on day 2.  The nose was showing quite a bit more floral notes, and the palate had really opened up into a very smooth wine.  If only it drank like this on day 1, I think it would have been my wine of the night.  This is definitely a HOLD wine for me, and will be at least 5 years before we open another.  On day 2, this was a 93 point wine.  Cheers!